Investigation of the Uptake and Transport of Two Novel Camptothecin Derivatives in Caco-2 Cell Monolayers

Irinotecan and Topotecan are two Camptothecin derivatives (CPTs) whose resistance is associated with the high expression of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). To reverse this resistance, two novel CPTs, FL77-28 (7-(3-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-10,11-methylenedioxy-20(S)-CPT) and FL77-29 (7-(4-Fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-10,11-methylenedioxy-20(S)-CPT), were synthesized by our group. In this study, the anti-tumor activities of FL77-28, FL77-29, and their parent, FL118 (10,11-methylenedioxy-20(S)-CPT), were evaluated and the results showed that FL77-28 and FL77-29 had stronger anti-tumor activities than FL118. The transport and uptake of FL118, FL77-28, and FL77-29 were investigated in Caco-2 cells for the preliminary prediction of intestinal absorption. The apparent permeability coefficient from apical to basolateral (P_{app AP-BL}) values of FL77-28 and FL77-29 were (2.32 ± 0.04) × 10⁻⁶ cm/s and (2.48 ± 0.18) × 10⁻⁶ cm/s, respectively, suggesting that the compounds had moderate absorption. Since the transport property of FL77-28 was passive diffusion and the efflux ratio (ER) was less than 2, two chemical inhibitors were added to further confirm the involvement of efflux proteins. The results showed that FL77-28 was not a substrate of P-gp or BCRP, but FL77-29 was mediated by P-gp. In conclusion, FL77-28 might be a promising candidate to overcome drug resistance induced by multiple efflux proteins.     

Established Liposome-Coated IMB16-4 Polymeric Nanoparticles (LNPs) for Increasing Cellular Uptake and Anti-Fibrotic Effects In Vitro

As a global health problem, liver fibrosis still does not have approved treatment. It was proved that N-(3,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-2(3-nitrobenzenesulfonamide) benzamide (IMB16-4) has anti-hepatic fibrosis activity. However, IMB16-4 displays poor water solubility and poor bioavailability. We are devoted to developing biodegraded liposome-coated polymeric nanoparticles (LNPs) as IMB16-4 delivery systems for improving aqueous solubility, cellular uptake, and anti-fibrotic effects. The physical states of IMB16-4−LNPs were analyzed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The results show that IMB16-4−LNPs increased the drug loading compared to liposomes and enhanced cellular uptake behavior compared with IMB16-4−NPs. In addition, IMB16-4−LNPs could repress the expression of hepatic fibrogenesis-associated proteins, indicating that IMB16-4−LNPs exhibited evident anti-fibrotic effects.     

Comparing Efficiency of Lysis Buffer Solutions and Sample Preparation Methods for Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Human Cells and Plasma

The use of a proper sample processing methodology for maximum proteome coverage and high-quality quantitative data is an important choice to make before initiating a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)-based proteomics study. Popular sample processing workflows for proteomics involve in-solution proteome digestion and single-pot, solid-phase-enhanced sample preparation (SP3). We tested them on both HeLa cells and human plasma samples, using lysis buffers containing SDS, or guanidinium hydrochloride. We also studied the effect of using commercially available depletion mini spin columns before SP3, to increase proteome coverage in human plasma samples. Our results show that the SP3 protocol, using either buffer, achieves the highest number of quantified proteins in both the HeLa cells and plasma samples. Moreover, the use of depletion mini spin columns before SP3 results in a two-fold increase of quantified plasma proteins. With additional fractionation, we quantified nearly 1400 proteins, and examined lower-abundance proteins involved in neurodegenerative pathways and mitochondrial metabolism. Therefore, we recommend the use of the SP3 methodology for biological sample processing, including those after depletion of high-abundance plasma proteins.     

氰化给体中分子间相互作用促进的全小分子光伏混合物的超快电子转移

氰基取代被认为是优化全小分子有机太阳能电池性能的可行方法. 然而,氰基取代对太阳能电池中电荷产生动力学的影响仍未得到探索. 本文光谱研究表明,在全小分子太阳能电池中,氰化给体中增强的分子间电荷转移相互作用会显著促进共混物中的电子转移. 实验发现,在氰基取代给体中,分子间相互作用引起的离域激发,在混合物中会进行超快电子转移. 相比之下,在没有氰基取代的给体中剩余的局域激发态,并没有积极参与电荷分离. 此发现很好地解释了为何氰化取代给体的共混物器件的性能会得到提升,表明可以通过调控分子间相互作用、来优化全小分子器件性能.     

Benzothiadiazole-based Conjugated Polymers for Organic Solar Cells

Benzothiadiazole(BT) is an electron-deficient unit with fused aromatic core, which can be used to construct conjugated polymers for application in organic solar cells(OSCs). In the past twenty years, huge numbers of conjugated polymers based on BT unit have been developed,focusing on the backbone engineering(such as by using different copolymerized building blocks), side chain engineering(such as by using linear or branch side units), using heteroatoms(such as F, O and S atoms, and CN group), etc. These modifications enable BT-polymers to exhibit distinct absorption spectra(with onset varied from 600 nm to 1000 nm), different frontier energy levels and crystallinities. As a consequence, BT-polymers have gained much attention in recent years, and can be simultaneously used as electron donor and electron acceptor in OSCs, providing the power conversion efficiencies(PCEs) over 18% and 14% in non-fullerene and all-polymer OSCs. In this article, we provide an overview of BTpolymers for OSCs, from donor to acceptor, via selecting some typical BT-polymers in different periods. We hope that the summary in this article can invoke the interest to study the BT-polymers toward high performance OSCs, especially with thick active layers that can be potentially used in large-area devices.     

A Docosahexaenoic Acid Derivative (N-Benzyl Docosahexaenamide) as a Potential Therapeutic Candidate for Treatment of Ovarian Injury in the Mouse Model

Commonly used clinical chemotherapy drugs, such as cyclophosphamide (CTX), may cause injury to the ovaries. Hormone therapies can reduce the ovarian injury risk; however, they do not achieve the desired effect and have obvious side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to find a potential therapeutic candidate for ovarian injury after chemotherapy. N-Benzyl docosahexaenamide (NB-DHA) is a docosahexaenoic acid derivative. It was recently identified as the specific macamide with a high degree of unsaturation in maca (Lepidium meyenii). In this study, the purified NB-DHA was administered intragastrically to the mice with CTX-induced ovarian injury at three dose levels. Blood and tissue samples were collected to assess the regulation of NB-DHA on ovarian function. The results indicated that NB-DHA was effective in improving the disorder of estrous cycle, and the CTX+NB-H group can be recovered to normal levels. NB-DHA also significantly increased the number of primordial follicles, especially in the CTX+NB-M and CTX+NB-H groups. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in all treatment groups and estradiol levels in the CTX+NB-H group returned to normal. mRNA expression of ovarian development-related genes was positive regulated. The proportion of granulosa cell apoptosis decreased significantly, especially in the CTX+NB-H group. The expression of anti-Müllerian hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor significantly increased in ovarian tissues after NB-DHA treatment. NB-DHA may be a promising agent for treating ovarian injury.     

一种新的基于频域有限差分方法的小周期有机太阳能电池的光电特性

由MoO₃/Ag/MoO₃ （MAM）组成的多层膜结构非常有希望替代ITO作为有机太阳能电池中的透明阳极.然而,基于MAM结构的有机太阳能电池光吸收能力较弱.为此,引入了一种小周期短节距金属光栅,利用表面等离子激元增强活性层的光吸收.借助于频域有限差分方法求解麦克斯韦方程和半导体方程,探讨了有机太阳能电池结构的光学和电学性质.分析结果表明：与平面结构相比,活性层中的光吸收大大提高;同时,当凹槽宽度为4 nm,能量转换效率提高了49%.相关结果有助于更好地开发和利用无ITO层的有机太阳能电池.     

Deep level transient spectroscopy investigation of deep levels in CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells with Te:Cu back contact

Deep levels in Cds/CdTe thin film solar cells have a potent influence on the electrical property of these devices. As an essential layer in the solar cell device structure, back contact is believed to induce some deep defects in the CdTe thin film. With the help of deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), we study the deep levels in CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells with Te:Cu back contact. One hole trap and one electron trap are observed. The hole trap H1, localized at E_v+0.128~eV, originates from the vacancy of Cd (V_Cd. The electron trap E1, found at E_c-0.178~eV, is considered to be correlated with the interstitial Cu_i⁼ in CdTe.     

铜铟镓硒太阳能电池多层膜的结构分析

对于溅射后硒化和共蒸发等方法制备的铜铟镓硒（CIGS）太阳能电池薄膜,利用多种分析方法研究了CIGS多层膜的复杂结构等．研究表明：卢瑟福背散射（RBS）在分析CIGS多层膜方面具有其独特优势和可靠的结果;溅射后硒化方法制备的CIGS薄膜中,Ga和In在CIGS薄膜中呈梯度分布,这种Ga表层少而内层多的不均匀分布与Mo层没有必然关系;RBS和俄歇电子能谱分析（AES）均显示CIGS太阳能电池器件多层膜界面处存在扩散,尤其是CdS与CIGS,Mo与CIGS的界面处;X射线荧光（XRF）结果表明,电池效率最高的CIGS层中In,Ga比例为In：Ga=0．7：0.3;X射线衍射（XRD）结果显示：退火后的CIGS／Mo薄膜结晶品质得到了优化．